Mirror
Table of contents:
Introduction
Mirror
Let's talk about the Mirror tool. In other applications, similar functionality is commonly referred to as Mirror, Mirror Object, or Symmetry. While the naming may vary, the function remains the same: it creates a reflected copy of a selected object across a defined axis or plane.
In SelfCAD, the Mirror tool can be found in the Utilities section of the main Toolbar, below the divider. It allows you to generate a mirrored version of a model based on a chosen axis or reference position. In practice, this enables users to create symmetrical designs, build mirrored mechanical parts, model characters or architectural elements efficiently, and reduce modeling time by designing only half of a symmetrical object.
The Utilities category focuses on workflow assistance rather than direct reshaping of geometry. Mirror plays an important role in creating balanced and symmetrical models quickly and accurately. In this article, we'll explore how to use the Mirror tool effectively and apply symmetry to your designs.
Select the object
The first step of using the majority of modeling tools is selecting the object on which you want to use it. You can select it by either left-clicking on it in the workspace or by selecting it in the Object Management section, in the right-side panel. The second option has an in-built search engine, which is extremely useful when you are working with multiple objects.
Activate the tool
Once the objects are selected, you can access the tool itself. To activate the Mirror tool, you need to select it from the Utilities drop-down list in the Main Toolbar or use a shortcut by using the 'U+I' combination on your keyboard. This way, you will open a Tool Setting Panel with all of the customizable options for this feature on the left-hand side of your screen.
Plane
The Plane mode mirrors the object across a selected or custom-drawn plane, allowing precise control over where the reflection takes place in the workspace. The dropdown list lets you choose the plane used for the mirror operation. You can select one of the predefined planes, Bottom/Top, Back/Front, or Left/Right, or use the Draw plane option to create a custom plane.
Line
The Line mode allows you to mirror the object across a selected or drawn edge in the workspace. The object is flipped symmetrically along the chosen edge, which acts as the mirror axis. You can use one of the edges from the existing objects for the line, or use the Draw mode to create a custom edge.
Point
The Point mode allows you to select a single point in the workspace that will act as the center of the mirror operation for the object.
Create Copy
Below the divider, you will find the Create copy option. When enabled, the tool creates a mirrored copy of the selected object using the current mirror settings, rather than modifying the original object. It will also display a translucent plane in the workspace to indicate the area around which the mirror operation will take place.
Offset
Selecting the Create Copy option enables the Offset setting, which lets you customize the Mirror even further. By moving the slider or by typing the value directly into the text box, you can distance the enabled plane from the object.
And that’s about it for the Mirror. After reading this article, you should know the basics of this tool and how to use it, and know about its different applications. Of course, the graphics shown here were just examples, and using this tool with different settings will give you slightly different effects, but its underlying principles will always stay the same.
That's all I have for you today. I wish you success in your future projects. See you, and stay tuned for more content to come!